Description of Events and Rules

Mad Hatter Marathons

The Middle school Mad Hatter Marathon is an integrated format of algebra and geometry that all 6^th, 7^th and 8^th graders can take with awards by grade level. It will consist of 50 multiple choice questions.  Awards will be given by grade level.

·        The following are tests of rapid problem solution, computation, and estimation. There will be six divisions in this event, identified by subject matter to be included in the test.  Only students who are currently enrolled in a corresponding course are eligible to compete in a Mad Hatter Marathon.  Students enrolled in higher level courses are disallowed.  The subjects are:

§  Algebra I

§  Geometry

§  Algebra II

§  Statistics

§  Open (Precalculus)

§  Calculus

• The first 25 problems on each Mad Hatter Marathon (except for Calculus) will be shown on a screen, flashcards, or chalkboard. Each student will work on the problems and write down the answers. Each of these problems will be timed. Problems will be shown rapidly. Not every student will be able to work on every problem.

•  The second 25 problems will be handed to students on photocopied sheets, and each student will work the problems as quickly as possible. The Calculus Mad Hatter will be 40 problems on photocopied sheets.

• Problems will be chosen from applied as well as pure mathematics. Some will require an exact answer, while others will require approximation.

• Students may prepare for this event by practicing rapid reading and mental arithmetic, learning shortcuts and checks in computation, and learning standard formulas. Formulas will not be provided.

• The Mad Hatter results for individual participants are based on raw score.  Each correct answer earns 1 point towards an individual’s score in this contest.  Incorrect answers and blank answers earn 0 points towards an individual’s score.  Incorrect answers vs blank answers will be considered in breaking tie scores. 

• Awards will be given to the top fifteen students in each division. 

• Tie scores will only be broken to obtain the top 15 students in each division.  First tie breaker: the individual with the least number of incorrect (not blank) answers will win the tie.  Second tie breaker: if both individuals have the same raw score and the same number of incorrect answers, then individual responses of the two students are compared, starting with the hardest problem (the last problem) and working backward.  The individual able to correctly answer the hardest problem will win the tie.  Winners of tie breakers will have 0.05 point added to their raw scores.

Middle School Leap Frog Team Relay

• Open only to Middle School students. One team of 2 students (that is, each middle school can send 2 students to this event) will represent each middle school. There is no grade level or course level restriction. 

•  One set of problems will be handed to each two-person team. The team will discuss which problems each person will work. For the next 45 minute period, each person will work on his/her particular problems. During the final 35 minute period, each partner will check, correct, or complete the other person's work.  During this period students may exchange notes, but no talking will be permitted.

•  Problems will be graded right or wrong (no partial credit will be given).

•  In terms of level of difficulty, problems are somewhat similar to the questions given in AMC8 or MathCounts Events.

• Awards will be given to the top 15 teams. 

High School Leap Frog Team Relay

• Open only to High School students.  One team of 2 students (that is, each high school can send 2 students to this event) will represent each high school.  There is no grade level or course level restriction.
  

• One set of problems, chosen from all levels of high school mathematics, will be handed to each two-person team. The team will discuss which problems each person will work. For the next 45 minute period, each person will work on his/her particular problems. During the final 35 minute period, each participant will check, correct, or complete the other person's work. During this period students may exchange notes, but no talking will be permitted.

•   Problems will be graded right or wrong (no partial credit will be given).

• Practice in doing neat work, proper checking, and working with a partner will be helpful.

•  Awards will be given to the top 15 teams. 

Discovery Quest

• This contest is open to one contestant from each high school.  Middle school students may not participate in this competition.  There is no grade level or course level restriction for high school students..

•   In this contest there will be a strong emphasis on imagination, originality, and mathematical perception. Contestants will write solutions to a set of 5 to 7 problems.

• Problem solutions must show all the steps in the solution process from problem statement to answer.  Solutions are given partial credit, as appropriate. 

•  Awards will be given to the top 10 individuals. 

Team Competition

• Team scores for each middle school will be computed by adding the individual scores of contestants in Integrated contest for 6th, 7th & 8th, and MS Leap Frog.  Middle schools only compete against middle schools. 

• Team scores for each high school will be computed by adding the individual scores of contestants in Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Statistics, Open (Precalculus), Calculus, HS Leap Frog, and Discovery Quest.  High schools only compete against high schools.